Teetotaled

Discreet Retrieval Agency #2

by Maia Chance

After her philandering husband died and left her penniless in Prohibition-era New York, Lola Woodby escaped with her Swedish cook to the only place she could her deceased husband s secret love nest in the middle of Manhattan. Her only comforts were chocolate cake, dime store detective novels, and the occasional highball (okay, maybe not so occasional). But rent came due and Lola and Berta were forced to accept the first job that came their way, leading them to set up shop as private detectives operating out of Alfie s cramped love nest.

Now Lola and Berta are in danger of losing the business they ve barely gotten off the ground work is sparse and money is running out. So when a society matron offers them a job, they take it even if it means sneaking into a slimming and exercise facility and consuming only water and health food until they can steal a diary from Grace Whiddle, a resident at the health farm. But barely a day in, Grace and her diary escape from the facility and Grace s future mother-in-law is found murdered on the premises. Lola and Berta are promptly fired. But before they can climb into Lola s brown and white Duesenberg Model A and whiz off the health farm property, they find themselves with a new client and a new charge: to solve the murder of Grace s future mother-in-law.

Teetotaled, Maia Chance's sparkling new mystery will delight readers with its clever plotting, larger-than-life characters, and rich 1920s atmosphere.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Humor

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2016

Reviews

[Zyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved getting back to this world. it has been more than a year since i read the first book. but the author made the follow up book so easy to renter. it was just so enjoying, following Lola & Berta through ups & downs of their investigation.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book, Come Hell or Highball, I couldn't wait to see what else Lola and her partner, Berta would get up to next. I was so happy when I got approved for this book. Another cozy mystery that I will keep reading if Maia Chance keeps writing them! I love Lola, a former socialite who has lost her wealth when her husband died. She's reluctant to admit she's down on her luck and has become a lady detective. Plus, she has her ex-cook, Berta, working with her to solve these crimes. I love them both. I love how they just bumble their way to solving the mysteries. They provide a lot of chuckles! And you have to love, Ralph. I'm sure Lola does:) If your looking to read something that isn't serious and you just want something to brighten up your day, I suggest checking out these books.

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[C-shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

A library book. Cute, silly story of a fallen society dame in 1923 who starts a detective agency along with her former Swedish cook. They humorously stumble their way to solving two murders. An easy, non-taxing, pleasant read.

[Delaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book by this author that I've read, and I struggled to really like all of them. There is enough lightness and plot interest that I kept reading. But ultimately I just don't connect to the characters. There's lots of screwball madcap-ness going on in solving the mysteries in a frankly slap-dash she'll get there eventually way, but not really much depth. The character traits that don't work for me may work for other readers, like the heroine being surprisingly bad at being a detective. Which is frankly understandable since she has no evident love for it, or even much interest beside needing to get out of whatever mess they're in. Lola and Berta have some native intelligence and gumption, and it is refreshing to have a 1920s woman who doesn't fit the flapper body type. However, as one reviewer said, the fat jokes are a little overdone esp since from the descriptions she sounds like maaaybe a modern size 14 (but she's probably just a busty 10).
When I'm out of other new books in series I click with more, I'll probably circle back to Lola. The tone is somewhat similar to the Lady Georgie books by Rhys Bowen, though as I am more familiar with those the American slang and setting here was actually a bit jarring. Also, Lola can't seem to get thru more than two days without needing to get tipsy or flat-out sloshed on cocktails, which I found annoying.

[Donna Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE these books! They are just what I needed. Pure fun, funny, and a bit heartwarming. In this sequel, Lola tries to retrieve a diary and ends up solving a murder. She has to mend relationships with Berta and Ralph. And she has to learn to live with-gasp-drugstore cosmetics! This 1920”s dame is a tough cookie, though. She can stand up to anything, as long as you give that lady a highball!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this, sadly, not as much as the first book, and I don't think I will be continuing with this series.

I can't even quite explain why things that hit me as charming and fun in the first book, somehow felt harsh and irritated me in this one, but they did.

Lola's antics in this book came across as selfish and clueless and totally unconcerned about how her choices affected other people. In the first book, I understood it because she was a fish out of water and trying to survive, but this time around even though she still had money problems she wasn't quite as desperate so her choices felt very self-absorbed, and some of them negatively impacted the people in her own life, which she didn't seem at all concerned about. I felt she was almost mean this time, and I didn't like it, or her at a number of points during the story.

Then there was Berta. I found Berta quirky and kooky and funny in the first book. And somehow, in this book, she came across as strident and self-righteous and judgey. While I understood her frustration with Lola at times, at other times she really got on my nerves.

The story was a good one; the author has a great mind for story-lines, and has wonderful pacing. The story I enjoyed, but the characters were what really grabbed me in the first book, and unfortunately, this time around the bloom was off the rose.

[Chris Eirschele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teetotaled is Maia Chance's second in her series Discreet Retrieval Agency.

Lola and Berta continue on in their new career of lady detectives in the 1920s.

Their new job is to hunt down the diary of a 14 year old girl. Grace's mother has hired Lola and Berta to find it. Little does anyone realize that there is information to solve another crime; Ralph wants the book, too. Eventually, it is two murders that must be solved, as well.

This cozy mystery has many threads and seemingly unending twists and turns. Even Cedric joins in the chase.

For pure fun reading, Teetotaled in 291 pages and 38 chapters has what was called "larger-than-life characters." Enjoy.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second excellent story in the 1920's mystery series featuring Lola Woodby and her formidable Swedish sidewkick and former cook Beta, this story sees the two of them checking in to her detestable ex-brother-in-law Chisholm's heath facility to track down the daughter of a soceity matron, and to finally make some money to keep themselves afloat. Of course, things do not go as planned, there are murders, and there are twists and turns galore before Lola and Berta, along with possible romantic sidekick Ralph Oliver, finally figure out who commited the murders and why. This is a fun read with lots of wit and charm.

[Melissa Hartfiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library to read while waiting for books on hold. It's a cute, cozy mystery along the lines of Her Royal Spyness (but takes place in the US). I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5. Had some funny moments and was a fast, easy read. I'd check out others in the series.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another totally delightful book in this series. Great story with lots of chuckles and terrific characters. Very good narration on audiobook EXCEPT for one voice that she did that was so high and squeaky that it hurt my ears. Fortunately though, that person wasn’t in the book that often. Lol.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed this series thus far. It's light humour but very clever. Can't wait for the next one!!

[Libbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad mystery. Good characters. Got a little long at times, but looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

So – I couldn’t find a way to resist this one – I’m obsessed with the BBC mysteries that air on PBS weekly, and have been taken in by the improbably Australian production of the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, the heroine is a straight-forward modern woman, rather clever but mostly lucky, with a fun setting and clever mix of historical influences and murder. So, I had hopes.

And Maia Chance delivered what I had hoped for: characters with style and a bit of flair, plenty of humor and a touch of luck. Lola is a widow, down on her luck and funds, after her husband’s death. With the help of her loyal cook Berta and one portly Pomeranian, Cedric. Not willing to ‘out’ herself as a lady detective with the Discrete Retrieval Agency, the rent has come due and needs must…

Traveling to her brother-in-law’s ‘fat farm’, Lola and Berta have been hired to find a diary belonging to the daughter of her mother’s friend. Friend’s daughter Grace and her diary disappear shortly after their arrival, and then the bodies start to drop…..

Characters stand out in this story: Lola with her ‘way’ of approaching life and it’s pleasures, her attempts to maintain a ‘certain standard’ in all things while still enjoying the times she indulges her sweet tooth. Berta, a no-nonsense and rather pragmatic woman with a logical way of thinking, a belief in Lola and her wish to do well, and providing an insight and perspective that the life Lola has led do not provide. When you add in Ralph the detective with his obvious feelings for Lola despite her driving him around the bend with her unorthodox approach, there are plenty of moments to love, and the story moves forward quickly. Engaging, unique and clever, I’ll be sure to read more of this series.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction set in the 1920’s, so I was really excited to get an early copy of Teetotaled to check out. It did not disappoint! The heroine, Lola, has a very dry, sarcastic sense of humor which I adored, and this book kept me chuckling all the way through.

The mystery in Teetotaled was just as entertaining. It kept me guessing, and the cast of suspects and supporting characters made me feel like I was watching a BBC production of Jeeves and Wooster.

Cozy mystery fans as well as historical fiction aficionados who don’t mind a dose of humor are sure to enjoy this book!

Note: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dianne Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Come Hell or Highball, so I had real hopes for this book and I was not disappointed.

Hired to retrieve a diary from a schlumpy girl who has been set to Lola's brother-in-law, Chisholm's, fat farm to slim down for her wedding, Lola and Bertha check in. Instead of finding the diary they end up stumbling on a murder, bride-to-be's future mother-in-law.

Stumbling through numerous mishaps involving a number of nefarious characters, including one Lola's mother would love to set her up with, all things work out well.

I look forward to the next one in the series.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teetotaled is pure escapist joy wrapped in feathers and gin-soaked chaos. Imagine if Lucy and Ethel stumbled into a murder investigation while crash-dieting at a health farm, and you’ve got the general vibe. Lola Woodby — recently widowed, recently broke, and aggressively over it — teams up with her cook, Berta, to form the Discreet Retrieval Agency. Their job? Steal back a scandalous diary before it ruins a high-society wedding. What could go wrong? Oh, literally everything.

Lola is my kind of mess. She’s indulgent, dramatic, and absolutely not built for self-denial — whether that’s about chocolate, men, or common sense. Watching her navigate kale smoothies and social intrigue with equal horror is half the fun. And Berta? Berta is the ride-or-die best friend we all need, the tough-talking cook who may or may not have more street smarts than Lola’s ever encountered. Together, they’re chaos incarnate, and I lived for it.

The plot snowballs beautifully. What starts as a light heist veers straight into murder when the bride-to-be’s future mother-in-law turns up dead. Suddenly, Lola and Berta are juggling suspects, dodging police, and sneaking around in the most impractical shoes imaginable. Add in Ralph — Lola’s deliciously roguish, vanishing-when-inconvenient love interest — and you’ve got a romantic subplot that’s both swoony and hilarious. He’s basically Clark Gable with a side hustle in ghosting.

And the setting! The 1920s details are lush without being suffocating — it’s all jazz clubs, swanky parties, and the occasional diet-induced fainting spell. The whole book feels like slipping into a feather boa and realizing you may or may not be about to trip over a dead body.

The best part? Even though this is the second book in the Discreet Retrieval Agency series, you can absolutely read it as a standalone. The backstory is sprinkled in just enough to make you feel in on the joke without bogging down the fun. Four stars, and I highly recommend reading it with a chocolate bar within arm’s reach.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, what an unbelievably poorly written book.....

The main character (M.C., because I can not remember her name) & her former cook, Berta, have opened the "Discreet Retrieval Agency"; these two are anything but discreet.... She just can not keep her mouth shut about her investigations...

M.C., is a former member of society, he husband has died & left her with nothing... Her brother-in-law has taken over the family home & is about to marry M.C.'s sister.

M.C. & Bertha are hired to retrieve a young woman's diary; which will have serious implications for some rich society man.... M.C. & Berta check into a health farm which is run by M.C.'s brother-in-law. The retrieval of the diary is for naught; the young disappears; and an older society matron is found dead w/ an empty bottle of rum in her hand (but she only drank gin).

M.C. is hot for Ralph Oliver, who has recently returned from Cuba. He too is an investigator, but a very subtle & discreet one, who divulges little or nothing to M.C. about his case, which parallels hers.

The dialog between the characters makes M.C. seem shallow, insipid & inane.

The ending was totally ridiculous and uninspiring.

No matter how much this author strove for cute, she failed.

If you want a better mystery set in the 1920's read: Phryne Fisher, Grace and Favor, or Amory & Milo....

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light and amusing mystery set in the 1920s, with a detective duo consisting of a widowed socialite with no money and her former cook who make up the Discrete Retrieval Agency. It's impossible to not be smitten with Lola, especially her clumsiness and appetite for the finer things in life (chocolate, pastries, coffee, highballs...), her partner Berta's stern and decorous manner (except when she's watching baseball), or Lola's spoiled, plump Pomeranian (who shares his owner's healthy appetite). The other characters are also interesting and have plenty of personality and quirks, with enough entanglements and hazy histories to make the mystery of the who's and why's persist until the end. The story does get a little confusing at times, and honestly, I don't really understand the motives behind certain events that transpired (some were more obvious than others), but it was still an enjoyable read.

I did not read the first book in this series, but in my experience with mysteries they are fairly good at being stand-alone novels (unless there's an overarching mystery that spans the series), and this one is no exception, so if you haven't read Come Hell or Highbball, don't let that scare you away from this one. I won Teetotaled in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and plot overall. I could have done with less mooning over the guy but that seems typical of the cozy genre, and part of the reason I have been moving to grittier options. I would give more details but this book was published by one of the big five publishing houses. (see note below).

Note: I used togive full reviews for all of the books that I rated on GR. However, GR's new giveaway policies (Good Reads 2017 November Giveaways Policies Changes) have caused me to change my reviewing decisions. These new GR policies seem to harm smaller publishing efforts in favour of providing advantage to the larger companies (GR Authors' Feedback), the big five publishers (Big Five Publishers). So, because of these policies from now on I will be supporting smaller publishing effort by only giving full reviews to books published by: companies outside the big five companies, indie publishers, and self-published authors. This book was published by one of the big five companies so will not receive a more detailed review by me.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Discreet Retreval Agency absolutely does not disappoint. Sometimes a second book can drag or try too hard to be similar to the first. This while being a murder mystery is still just as funny and Lola finds herself in even crazier situations. Many parts of the book had me laughing out loud, sometimes my boyfriend would start laughing because he wanted to be a part of the hysterics.
Lola Woodsby, left penniless by her philandering dead husband and her cook Berta begin their own Discreet Retreival Agency in the first book and catch a murderer. They come back in this story hired by the mother of a bride to be to retrieve a diary that she writes in. Of course it is not very simple they need to go to a health farm on Long Island run by Lola’s ex brother in law Chisholm. One morning while trying to get the diary from the bride to be the groom to be’s mother is found murdered at the health farm. The bride to be is found missing as well as her diary. Lola and Berta are fired but then hired by the husband of the dead woman to solve her murder. Hijinks and hilarity ensue and RALPH COMES BACK!!!!!!!

[NinjaMuse · Rating 2 out of 5]

In brief: Lola Woodby and her Swedish cook have been hired to retrieve an incriminating diary from a health spa—but their plans are derailed when another guest is murdered! Who did it? Why? And will that fink of a detective apologize for running off to Cuba? Second in a series.

Thoughts: This is another of those “the second in the series doesn’t hold up” books. I don’t know whether Chance was trying too hard, or not hard enough, to capture the 1920s feel, or whether her characterization was off, whether she was writing too fast and carelessly or I simply knew the shtick from the last book, but this fell flat for me in a pretty big way. It was enjoyable enough to burn through, gave me an adequate number of laughs, was strong enough not to give away the culprit or motive, but I’m not sure I’ll be continuing with the series and I was glad to close it and move on to something else.

Warnings: Not really, but another of those “white and straight” ones. Heterosexual does he/doesn’t he shenanigans.

5/10

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been avoiding this one, book two of a three book series, although I like the author's work, because I thought it would not be self contained. I hate cliffhangers that require months of waiting to find out what happened next. I noticed that the last book in this series was due out on 24th October, and decided that I could wait a week to get the answers to any loose ends, in this novel. It was a delight to find that this was a light, entertaining and, importantly, self contained novel. It is about a ladies detective agency, and follows the author's first book in the series, 'Come Hell or Highball', and I would say that the first book needs to be read, to get full enjoyment from this one.
The events move on quickly, and the story is sheer fun and entertainment, with a comic approach. I enjoyed it.

[Tulsa MM · Rating 4 out of 5]

i thought it was a cute easy read! loved lola’s character, i think she’s very ahead of her time and is such an empowering and quirky charismatic girl! i also think for me, normally murder mysteries can get scary and so i can’t really read them too late at night - however this wasn’t scary and i loved the way humor was nicely enveloped in to make the novel more lighthearted - even though it is ultimately a murder mystery. i wasn’t a big fan of the love interest, mainly because i feel like the way he calls her kid just put me off, but i think its part of the lingo used back in the time? i wasn’t really a fan, but the story isn’t mainly about their romance so i wasn’t fussed. loved berta, and i like how she’s older! i feel like that representation is important. overall, it was a good mystery novel and i liked it, especially the characterisation and the way the author set the scenes!

[jammaster_mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, light mystery romp through the roaring twenties.

Lola is a down-on-her-luck former society dame turned detective. With the help of her solid and dependable housekeeper they endeavor to solve mysteries for the wealthy who value discretion. What starts out as a simple job retrieving a diary turns into a murder investigation. Lola and Berta are full of fun and often find themselves in impossible situations.

This series is very light and lots of fun. There is a serious story line that does hold together and they do solve the crime, despite themselves. They have a lot of fun and meet some very interesting people along the way. I enjoy this series and look forward to the next book.

[Sunshine Aspen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's teetotally amazing!

This book was fantastic! I love the characters and their background stories- Mrs. Woodby with her socialite history, love of dogs, love of food, getting to the bottom of things and her clumsiness! Berta the cook aka baker or sound mind and judgement complimented the discreet retrieval agency well. I have to admit I was glued and on the edge of my seat till the end with this book- always guessing who was the murderer! A little love twist with the Ant and Oliver made it a well rounded story. I highly recommend this energetic and well paced book to anyone!

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in this series proved to be as amusing a read as the first. The penniless Lola Woodby continues to try to make a living with her Discreet Retrieval Agency in Prohibition-era New York, but clients are few and far between. She and her sidekick are offered a job watching a reluctant bride-to-be at a 'health farm', but quickly lose her and are witnesses to the death of her future mother-in-law.

The author's first-person narrative is entertaining; I hear it in my head as the voice of a somewhat jaded flapper with a droll sense of humour. I'll be looking for the next book in the series.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Discreet Retrieval Agency is still in business and the ladies are still stopped for rent money. Given the circumstances, it is not so strange that they take on the task of finding a runaway debutante. But when they find her, she seems to be more interested in a Yankees' pitcher than in her society fiancee. Meanwhile, bodies are dropping all over the Hamptons. Car chases, rescues at sea and romance ensue. This is all good fun, even when the Swedish cook threatens to turn in her detective notebook. I recommend this for an afternoon at the beach if you enjoy mysteries with a dash of humor set in the Prohibition Era.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read set in the 1920s. The main characters, Lola and Berta, are quick witted and get into some humorous situations while trying to track down clues to solve the mystery. They are almost out of money and the rent will be due soon, when a woman comes to them asking them to retrieve her daughter's diary. Lola and Berta think that this will be an easy case, but things do not go as they plan. This story kept me entertained and kept surprising me with the situations that Lola and Berta got into and how they managed to get out of them.

I would like to thank Maia Chance for a copy of this book. This did not influence my review in any way.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first in this series was funny, swift moving, full of clever dialogue, and a smart idea of a detective duo premise. Of course, it makes one want to sample the next, but it's the same thing again with no real feeling of advancement in the characters and the same screwball situations. Some of the plotting is clumsy, too, in order o get our heroines from one silly situation to the next. The first book was like seeing a cute playful puppy at the pet store that you pet and giggle and feel good about and then this sequel is like someone opens every cage in the store and you are thrown to the floor by bounding overdone smothering repetitive cuteness. Enough ... help!

[Tracy Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola Woodby is one of the most delicious characters I've ever read about! I'm not typically a fan of mysteries... but I read the Come Hell or Highball a couple years ago, and I absolutely fell head over heels for Lola! The stories are set in the Roaring 20s, which is a time period I love! Lola is a bit on the heavy, curvaceous side, surrounded by waifish flappers. She loves her dog more than anything. And she's big on food and drink. So really, you could put Lola Woodby in any kind of story, and I'd enjoy reading about her. It just happens that she's in mysteries. Lucky for me, the writing is fabulously funny and captivating!